Insulin Resistance

Syndrome X, metabolic syndrome, and Type II diabetes all relate to the same underlying condition of insulin resistance. In addition, about half of the women with polycystic ovarian syndrome are insulin resistant, as it shares some features with metabolic syndrome.

Insulin resistance is a condition where cells don’t respond as much as they should to insulin’s effects. The result is that glucose stays in the bloodstream instead of going into the cell, resulting in high blood sugar. The body’s ability to use insulin is not a black or white matter. Many people fit into the category of grey, they may not have diabetes but may have some clinical signs of insulin resistance. Risk factors for insulin resistance include being overweight-especially having an ‘apple’ shaped body, a family history of diabetes, high total cholesterol, low HDL (good) cholesterol, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, dietary choices. There are many dietary changes, small and large, than can help manage and support the body’s ability to use insulin.